Daud Suleman
Daud Elvin Suleman | |
|---|---|
| Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority | |
Suspended | |
| Assumed office October 2021 | |
| President | Lazarus Chakwera |
| Preceded by | Godfrey Itaye |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 3, 1979 |
| Nationality | Malawian |
| Party | Malawi Congress Party |
| Occupation | ICT Professional |
| Known for | Digital transformation and ICT policy reforms in Malawi |
Daud Elvin Suleman is a Malawian information and communications technology professional who serves as the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority.[1][2] He is known for his leadership in advancing digital transformation, telecommunications regulation, and internet governance in Malawi[3] In October 2025, He was suspended from his position pending investigations by the Government of Malawi.
Early life
[edit]Before his career in technology and public service, Suleman was an accomplished basketball player. He represented the Malawi national basketball team in the 2007 FIBA Africa Championship for men, participating in three games and contributing an average of 1.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.[4] He is also celebrated as a basketball legend in Malawi, having been honored and recognized for his contributions to the sport.[5]
Career
[edit]Suleman was appointed as Director General of MACRA in October 2021 following a competitive recruitment process conducted by the Government of Malawi.[6] Before his appointment, he worked in the technology and financial sectors, gaining experience in ICT policy, fintech, and systems innovation.[1]
As MACRA head, Suleman oversaw a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy, expanding internet access, and modernizing Malawi's telecommunications sector. Under his leadership, MACRA issued a directive to phase out physical airtime and data scratch cards, transitioning mobile operators to electronic top-up systems.[7]
He has been an outspoken advocate for digital rights and online safety, acknowledging that Malawi's legal framework for ICTs remains outdated and needs reform.[8] He has also called for collaboration between regulators, schools, and civil-society organizations to ensure that children and young users have safer experiences online.[9]
In 2024, Suleman was appointed to the International Telecommunication Union Digital Innovation Board, where he represents Malawi in global ICT innovation and policy discussions.[3] His work has also been profiled by the GSMA and the International Institute of Communications (IIC), which describe him as a leading regional voice on digital transformation.[1]
Additionally, he has promoted the implementation of revenue assurance systems within MACRA to improve transparency and efficiency in the collection of telecommunications levies.[10]
MACRA Suspension in 2025
[edit]In October 2025, Suleman was suspended from his position as Director General of MACRA pending investigations by the Government of Malawi. The suspension formed part of a broader government action that also affected senior executives at other parastatals, including the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and the National Economic Empowerment Fund.[11] The Office of the President and Cabinet, through Chief Secretary Justin Saidi, confirmed the suspensions, citing “ongoing investigations”. However, legal commentators described the move as potentially irregular, noting that most parastatal boards had been dissolved at the time and therefore might lack authority to execute such administrative actions.[12]
Controversies
[edit]During his tenure at MACRA, Suleman faced multiple allegations including a conflict of interest over transmitter installation tied to his private media interests, procurement irregularities involving his official vehicle, and internal staff grievances alleging targeted management actions in response to anonymous disclosures.[13]
In September 2025, Suleman faced criticism during the 2025 general election period when MACRA, under his leadership, allegedly instructed major media houses to halt the live broadcasting of unofficial election results dashboards that were tracking tallies from polling stations, at a time when then opposition candidate Peter Mutharika was reportedly leading incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Daud Elvin Suleman". Mobile for Development. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Daud Elvin Suleman". International Institute of Communications. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ a b "ITU appoints Daudi Suleman to its Digital Innovation Board". The Atlas Malawi. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Daud Elvin Suleman (Malawi) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age | FIBA Basketball". www.fiba.basketball. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "'Bring on the Heroes Tournament Zitto Phillips'; encourages basketball legend Daud Suleman". Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Govt appoints Daud Suleman as new MACRA Director General - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". 13 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "DIRECTIVE NUMBER 1 OF 2024 OF THE MALAWI COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY ON THE REMOVAL OF PHYSICAL AIRTIME AND DATA SCRATCH CARDS" (PDF). Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Zgambo, Mike Lyson (7 March 2025). "MACRA Admits Malawi Lagging in Digital Rights Protection Due to Outdated Laws -". Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "MACRA calls for collective action on safer internet practices – Yoneco FM". 11 February 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "MACRA's Revenue Assurance System will boost tax collection, says DG Suleman - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". 30 May 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Banda, Ephraim Mkali (17 October 2025). "Government suspends three senior officials amid ongoing investigations". Malawi 24. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Viano, Andrew (19 October 2025). "Parastatal suspensions 'irregular', politically driven—legal experts". Nation Online. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Alleged conflict of interest puts MACRA's integrity under scrutiny, Daud Suleman in the spotlight". Malawi 24. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "MACRA Shuts Down Media Dashboards as Mutharika Maintains Unassailable Leads in Malawi Elections - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS". 21 September 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.